Week In The News: U.S. Action In Iraq, Ceasefire Broken, Ebola Spreads

The president authorizes airstrikes in Iraq. Gaza ceasefire broken. Ebola on the move.

President Barack Obama speaks about the situation in Iraq in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014. Obama says he’s authorized the U.S. military to carry out airstrikes in Iraq against Islamic militants if they advance toward the city of Erbil. (AP/Charles Dharapak)

American airstrikes and humanitarian aid, on in Iraq today. Ordered by the President whose number one push was to get the US out of Iraq. Gaza conflict, back on after a 72-hour ceasefire. Russian troops massed again on the border of Ukraine. Ebola spreading in Africa, and being treated in the USA. A top US general, shot in Afghanistan. A record hack on Internet passwords. A record fine on corporate America. What a week. We’ve had African leaders in Washington. A water ban in Toledo. This hour, On Point: our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.

From Tom’s Reading List

NBC News: Obama Authorizes ‘Targeted’ Airstrikes Against ISIS in Iraq — “In a nationally televised address, Obama said Thursday night that he had long warned the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, or ISIS, not to threaten the strategic city of Erbil. With ISIS fighters nearing it on Thursday, Obama said he had approved ‘targeted strikes against [ISIS] convoys should they approach the city.'”

TIME: Israelis Unhappy to See World-Class Military ‘Surprised’ Again — “Sixty-four Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza over the past three weeks—more than six times the 10 lost in Israel’s 2008 incursion into the Palestinian territory. The Gaza incursion “revealed worrisome shortcomings in the Israel Defense Forces in battle readiness and management,” the Israeli dailyHaaretz laments”

CNN: Ebola virus: Nine things to know about the killer disease — “Two American missionary workers infected with Ebola were given an experimental drug called ZMapp which seems to have saved their lives. The drug, developed by a San Diego firm, had never been tried before on humans, but it showed promise in small experiments on monkeys.”

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